Former President Yameen calls on Eagle Hills to Scrap Ras Malé Project

Former President Abdulla Yameen called on UAE-based developer Eagle Hills to abandon its proposed Ras Malé development, accusing the company of exploiting the government and questioning the project’s compatibility with the Maldives’ support for Palestine.

In a post on X today, Yameen criticised both the developer and President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, alleging that the government had lost voters’ support.

He urged Eagle Hills to scrap the project and expressed strong opposition to its continuation.

Yameen also alleged that the development would lead to a “Jewish settlement”, arguing that this would contradict the values of a Muslim society that supports the Palestinian cause.

His remarks come amid political debate over the Maldives Waterfront and Marina project, which Eagle Hills plans to develop in the Ras Malé area.

Opposition figures have raised concerns about transparency, national sovereignty and proposed long-term lease arrangements.

The government has maintained that the land will remain state-owned and that the development will operate under a leasehold framework consistent with Maldivian law

The government and Eagle Hills signed a commercial terms agreement on September 21. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr Abdulla Muththalib and Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar signed the agreement, which sets out the project’s principal commercial terms.

Detailed arrangements are to be developed as the project progresses.

The proposed development is envisaged at approximately $20 billion across multiple phases and is expected to include hotels, residences, a marina, retail outlets, leisure facilities and community infrastructure.

Preliminary estimates suggest the development could create more than 54,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities over its lifetime.

At full maturity, it is projected to attract more than one million visitors annually and generate over $2 billion in annual tourism revenue. These figures are forecasts, rather than confirmed outcomes.